Was The Lunch Box Originally Meant To Wheelie?

[Saito]

I have a theory that, when first created, the Lunch Box wasn't actually supposed to wheelie like it does. Yes, its cleverly built on a modified Pajero (which was a stunt/off-roader) chassis, but I'm not sure wheelies were part of the design intent. The battery is placed low in the middle of the chassis for stability. The promo videos note this as a feature. What the promos don't note or even show is the Lunch Box (or Pumpkin for that matter) sailing along with front wheels high. I'm not sure they even point out the wheelie bar. Furthermore, the box description states the truck is for "racing and show". The Wild Willy and Pajero were both marketed as stunt off-roaders. Somehow I imagine when the designers took the prototype Lunch Box out for its first spin, they might have been surprised to see it end up on its roof.

[mymonsterbeetleisbroken]

the old voice over guy was great - he always seemed to be reading his script for the first time. Nearly every car or truck he described had "excellent performance at the track"!

the lunchbox promo indeed doesnt talk about the wheelie bar, and doesnt show the truck doing wheelies because it has no traction on the loose dirt and sand they are driving it on.

the pumpkin promo is pretty much the same too, though you see the wheelie bar clearly in both videos.

its an interesting theory, but i think it was always going to wheelie with such a light front end and a 540 motor installed with the lower gearing.

Maybe they just wanted to keep the wheelies as a surprise! It sure surprised me the first time i drove one

[Saito]

It surprised me as well. The Lunch Box was my first "hobby grade" RC with a 540 motor. I still remember giving the truck its very first bit of throttle in my mother's kitchen. That 'Box reared up on its back tires and swiftly tried attacking the kitchen cabinet! My wife swears the voice-over guy in the Tamiya promos was reading cue cards that someone wasn't moving fast enough. "Those tires aren't just..for show....they really do......grab the earth for....great traction."

[mymonsterbeetleisbroken]

"Those tires aren't just..for show....they really do......grab the earth for....great traction."

LOL

I think she might be right, sometimes he seems to leave a huge pause between words. Those old promo vids are really cool though, there are quite a few on youtube

[highflyer]

The old promos did not mention it as a "Stunt Truck", but an off road truck, and "Racer?". I think the wheelie bar was added because of the afformentioned Pajero Stunt Truck, just some good R&D.. I am probably wrong though ???!!!

[highflyer]

"Those tires aren't just..for show....they really do......grab the earth for....great traction."

What is funny about that is the narrator does that non-stop. And yeah, those rubber tires were very sticky...

[Rabiedmushroom]

I bought my Bush Devil as a quicker more agile alternative to my Bullhead (and it was the current small truck for sale at the time). It was advertised as an off road truck with an improved chassis from the Monster Beetle. But all it wanted to do was perform similar wheelie action as you describe, then bends & breaks its pickup rear bed as the long lexan overhang drags along the ground. I was well disappointed. I ended up sticking some heavy lead in the front of the chassis to get some traction. And I hated its poofy pink wheels. Stupid truck! I sold mine. Its the only Tamiya I haven't loved to own.

[blackdogbro]

Can someone please point me to the LB and MP promo video? I would love to see that. Thanks!

[mymonsterbeetleisbroken]

Pumpkin Promo

Lunchbox Promo

Enjoy!

[94eg!]

Pumpkin Promo

Lunchbox Promo

Enjoy!

Funny that there is NO mention of wheelies whatsoever.

[markbt73]

Worst. Voice-over guy. Ever.

I did kinda like the 70s cop-show theme music, though.

[94eg!]

Worst. Voice-over guy. Ever.

LOL! He does the voice over for all the late 80's cars. You should see the Avante one: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=iqZwv5qrMlE